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August 2, 2007 - 4:24PM
Downpour soaks church; Mass must move
Lawn Griffiths, Tribune
The Church of the Resurrection parish in Tempe has the task of resurrecting its church.
Monday afternoon’s heavy rains caused about a third of the roof of its worship building to cave in, said James Dwyer, spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix.
“It was a big-time rain” that came down in a short time on the campus, 3201 S. Evergreen Road, he said. Rainwater broke through the roof and poured down onto the pews and furnishings, then rolled into adjacent offices and rooms. Officially more than an inch of rain fell in a short time about 4 p.m. Monday.
It has forced the parish, with about 1,100 registered families and led by the Rev. Joseph McGaffin, to move Mass to the parish hall for about two months, Dwyer said. Officials also had considered moving to other churches or off-campus sites.
“Our building and maintenance staff is examining everything and looking at all the options and doing the best to assess the damage,” he said.
The cost of the damage and repairs won’t be known for a while, Dwyer said. However, it is covered by the diocese’s insurance.
The building was constructed in the early 1970s. Roof beams are intact and the building appears structurally sound, but the roof will need to be reinforced as part of the repairs. Pews were removed and much of the mess has been cleaned up.
“What can be salvaged will be salvaged — and repairs will begin,” Dwyer said.
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